Capital in Hand
“Ahem!”
Robert cleared his throat and continued. “Is that all? Our trading company's various services, the number two spot in our faction. You'll become my most cherished subordinate!”
My eyes sparkled reflexively. I was a slave to capitalism, after all. Honestly, I had no intention of sticking around long-term. But one month. Just one month, and 50 silver would be mine.
“Ahem.”
But Aris was staring at me with a smiling face.
“...Aris?”
“You turned me down when I offered to lend it to you? My money's no good, but someone else's is?”
...A little scary. Hmm. Pride really is precious, huh.
“...You think I'd fall for money like that?”
“You almost did a second ago...”
“My pride can't be bought!” I crossed my arms and shouted.
Robert looked offended. “...Whatever. Just don't regret it!”
I sent Robert packing. It was tempting as hell, but I had no plans to take the deal.
...My 50 silver. An employment contract might've been okay...
No. I've never liked that guy anyway.
Hmm. It was definitely an unfair contract.
Biology class began. The professor wheeled in a massive cart covered with cloth.
“Hello, everyone. I'm Miriam, your biology professor.”
She had a warm, friendly aunt-like vibe. But her eyes sparkled with an energy that belied her age.
“I live near the West Forest, but it's dangerous, so come find me at the school if you need me.”
Hmm... It didn't seem that dangerous to me. I actually breathed easier there. Plus, I had my trusty little bro. Maybe conquer up to the fifth floor and go monster-hunting. Seemed doable.
“Since it's our first class, I'll give a quick explanation, assign some homework, and wrap up early?” Miriam smiled with her eyes.
“How much do you all know about magic creatures? Raise your hand and explain.”
Magic creatures? No clue. I only knew the gate-spawned monster trash. But the other kids seemed to know. Quite a few hands shot up, and the fastest one got the chance.
“Yes, Layla.”
“Magic creatures are a general term for animals that contain mana but aren't beasts.”
“Excellent. One shop point for you.”
Layla's face lit up.
I whispered to Aris. “What's so great about shop points?”
“They factor into your grades, so when you become an imperial mage later, high points make people take notice.”
“Whoa. Useless for me, then.”
I had no need for imperial mage status. I was a hunter.
“...Pardon?”
“Nothing.”
She wrote the imperial term for magic creatures on the board. “The origin is 'mysterious lifeform,' which evolved into the noun 'magic creature.'”
“So why do we study them?” She unveiled the cart.
“Simple. Magic creatures can be material sources, good friends, or lifelong partners for us. But...”
There were cages stacked exactly matching the class size, each holding Pomeranian-like critters. The problem? Sharp teeth and spinning eyes.
The students freaked out. Layla looked ready to faint.
“...If you don't know how to handle them properly, you could get hurt. Your homework is this.”
—Grrrrrr...
—Arrrrr...
“Take one each. They're safe until you open the cage, so don't worry.”
“Wh-what are we supposed to do with these?”
“Sc-scary...”
I grabbed a cage and signed the roster. It matched cage numbers to names.
After distributing the last one, Miriam opened hers.
“This one's a Cactelarian. Its blood is potion material, and its saliva poison is a magic catalyst.”
“But without a bond with its keeper, the materials lack mana.”
She gently stroked the growling Cactelarian, then reached under its butt and lifted it effortlessly. The soft touch left it clueless. It still growled but didn't bite—just licked and wagged its tail.
Miriam pointed to the belly pattern with her finger. “From now until next week, check your Cactelarian's belly and draw the pattern.”
Each had a unique pattern. Probably all different.
“That's your homework. And the student who bonds best gets 10 shop points.”
Shop points... Better if they were cash.
“Share bonding tips if you want. Bites will swell a bit.”
Next to me, Aris was trying to connect. “Good boy... nice boy...?”
She opened the cage, and snap!—it went for her finger.
“Eek!?”
But she managed to pet its head without getting bit.
“Got this far... now what?”
To see the pattern, she'd have to lift it. Her Cactelarian growled even while petted.
“Arrrrr... kyakyakya!”
“Kyaaaa! My hand!”
The first brave sacrifice leaped back. Her hand swelled subtly. A few more bites and she'd be Doraemon.
“H-how do you even do this!?”
Same everywhere. Some endured bites to force a look and sketch, but the drawings looked crappy.
“Next week, class in the East Forest! Head there!”
...No one was listening amid the chaos.
I calmly watched the pandemonium and opened my cage. The Cactelarian lunged out, eyes fierce.
—Arrr...
Our eyes met.
“Ack, that tickles.”
It rubbed my hand and licked my fingers. Eyes all meerkat-cute, teeth hidden. Waiting for my move.
“Flop.”
—Meong!
It rolled over belly-up.
“...Heh.”
...Staring at this Pom-like thing licking my fingers and whimpering, I thought.
The [Natural Affinity] trait. All beasts like me, except monsters. Total cheat.
I glanced around. A group of boys: one wrestling a biter off his hand, another chasing an escapee back to its cage.
Hmm.
This smells like money.
The scent of silver.
“Why's this thing so feral!”
“Gonna skip this homework... Karnaroff's too, and this? All-nighter city.”
I approached. “Hey.”
“...What! Busy, so scram—huh.”
“Need a hand?”
I tried maximum friendliness. Service starts with a smile.
I eyed his cloak badge. “Right, Edgar? If you're in a bind, I could help.”
Naming him while meeting his eyes flushed his face. Yep, this look works here too.
“N-no, it just won't listen.”
He was struggling to see the belly of the one clamped on his hand.
I grabbed its scruff and lifted. “Need this?”
“H-how!?”
“Special constitution. So, need it?”
“You're really helping!?”
“Duh. Fellow first-years.”
“Thanks! Thought you were weird... but you're a good guy?”
He rubbed his neck shyly. “If it's not too much, maybe lunch later...”
“1 silver.”
“Huh?”
“1 silver, and I'll help.”
Gulk. I swear I heard a sound effect. Felt like I crushed the boy's pure heart, but oh well. I needed cash.
“So, pass?”
“Urk... deal. 1 silver, right?”
Nobles' kids after all. They'd pay 1 silver for homework help.
A silver coin dropped into my hand.
“M-me too!”
“I'll pay 1 silver! Please!”
Boys, girls—didn't matter. They fell for my pitch.
“Whoa, easy. I got plenty hands. Nah, bring 'em all. Make 'em flop.”
Clink clink clink.
Silver poured in. My lips curled up.
I had them all flop and expose bellies. Cage labels kept them sorted.
“Easy, easy.”
I collected silver and flipped them. They obeyed extra well today, weirdly.
“Me too...”
Robert sidled in.
“You? 10 silver. Rich boy.”
“...What? That's not fair!”
“Then pass.”
What're you gonna do about my markup?
Robert was dumbfounded.
“10 silver. Hand it over.”
He stared at Yumia, sprawled on the floor with a Pom on her shoulder, white hair tousled, looking utterly relaxed.
This girl's no ordinary...!
She flipped attitudes like a pro: groveling to the strong, bulldozing the weak. A scummy merchant through and through...!
Damn it. He paid up and handed over his Cactelarian.
It growled and snapped at his every touch—but calmed instantly in Yumia's hands.
“I admit it. Your skill outshines this Robert's.”
Ignoring him, Yumia lined them up. A sketching crowd formed.
As it wrapped up...
Someone tapped Robert's back. “Uh... Student council says Karnaroff prof wants you.”
“Huh?”
“Eep.”
“Robert and Yumia. You two.”
“I don't even know where to start.”
Dragged to the faculty office, we stood before Karnaroff, gauging his mood.
“Where's the supervisor? They were there for punishments before.”
“Professor's discretion for discipline. I'm your first-year homeroom, so I decide.”
“...Can we get a pass?”
“Was planning to. Usually just a warning. Happens all the time.”
...What?
Yahoo!
Thought we'd be scrubbing toilets for sure.
“Of course, next time you're caught, expect real punishment. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Got it.”
“Now, return the earnings. All the silver.”
What?
“...Short on silver?”
Why take my silver? This was legit earned.
I clutched it tight. Robert eyed me like I was nuts. Didn't care.
“Haha. Ha ha ha ha!”
Karnaroff chuckled lowly, then grinned at me. Tired-looking.
“Everyone in the empire knows, but you don't, so I'll explain.”
He drew his staff, pointing at empty space. A treasury entrance appeared, piled with endless treasure.
“One bottle from Karnaroff's treasury could feast a thousand commoners luxuriously for a month.”
He sighed. “Already exhausted—the Winged King raided my booze recently...”
Winged King? Rings a bell...
Ah.
“Booze?”
“Yes. Meant to entertain desert kingdom VIPs, but top-shelf gone. Cracked Karnaroff's pride. Know anything...”
“Nope.”
“Figured not...”
“I don't know.”
“No.”
I didn't. Really.
I handed over the silver and bolted.
Nothin' to do with me, right? No way.
Robert exited the office magnanimously. “Sigh. C'mon.”
“Where?”
“Student cafeteria.”
“What?”
“They took it all. Least I can do is buy food.”
“For real?”
“Hmph, be grateful.”
Merchant to the bone. Personal grudges didn't matter for networking.
Yumia's talent was objectively, subjectively amazing. Worthy of Carter friendship...
“But they didn't take all my money?”
“...Huh?”
“Why give it all? Karnaroff doesn't know.”
“But earlier, you didn't have...”
“Ways around it.”
Silver poured from her slender hand. Way too much for one palm.